Everyone was born into the world empty, lacking any form of social skills and knowledge to navigate the world. depending solely on the directives of our parents for guidance and protection to stay out of harms way. slowly and steadfast, We grow in knowledge and wisdom as we pass through the agents of socialisation.
Our parents being the first agent of socialisation are expected to shoulder the responsibility of training and guiding us about the necessary lessons that are needed to live a successful life. As an individual been born into Christian home, majority of the advice given to me by my parents goes in line with the doctrines of the Bible. Learning the differences between good and bad and how to live a life worthy of being called a Christian.
It is no doubt that over the years I and my siblings attended Bible studies a lot because my parents believed that was the only way we could get accustomed with the teachings and knowledge contained in the Bible. To an extent I and my siblings have the 10 commandments memorised because whenever we did/do something wrong my parents are the kind of parents that doesn't see beating or punishment as a very effective means of correcting a child only if the situation extremely warrant it.
Any time I and my siblings Do something wrong, we already knew that we can't play victims or pretend to be ignorant of not knowing that what we did was wrong because it is already stated in the 10 commandments, something we read almost every day bible in study as children. So immediately we do something offensive we already know what we did was bad. The first thing my Dad would say is, What you have done does it go inline with what is expected from a good Christian? we dare not answer because we know the answer is definitely no.
Being taught by my parents about the distinction between right and wrong and the significance of actions and consequences through the doctrines of the Bible has made it easier for me to navigate life on my own because anytime I feel confused or needed counseling I can always go back to the teaching of the holy book to sort out what is expected of me and what steps will be more appropriate as a Christian because one thing I have come to understand is the fact that doing the right thing the wrong way doesn't make it right because the end doesn't justify the means. there is always a right way to get things done.
My parents believed as long as we live our life in accordance to the teachings of the Bible we would live a more fruitful life. Sincerely I believe they were right because Seeing how far I have gone in living my life in accordance to the Bible just like by parents instructed has increased my Personal connection with God and decrease the rate at which I find myself in making wrong choices. One of those wrong choices that has led to the down fall of many youths is being desperate for material things which has resulted to them committing a lot of atrocities in the name of hustling. The Bible quoted in Matthew 6vs24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money Truth be told having to live the life of a Christian is not a easy journey but I am extremely grateful to my parents for teaching me how to live the life of a Christian.
Have my parents ever been wrong about something or gave the wrong advice?
Not really but the thing is that most parents give less explanation about some concept that has to do with our lives. probably they felt we are not grown enough to understand how it works. Most parents consider it a duty to shield us from the harsh reality of life by not giving us the full explanation about how somethings are in the real life. My parents teaching us how to abide by a good Christian principles comes with being my brotherskeeper, offering my support to those in need and always be willing to help without expecting anything in return not even gratitude. because the Bible elaborate on the fact that our father in heaven will reward those who genuinely help their fellow humans.
So As an individual, I have always had a different perspective about the world in general, due to different traumatic events I have experienced. I believe there should be some kind of balance in the world, In a world filled with individuals driven solely by their ambitions and selfish interest, we need selfless individuals to keep humanity from being exterminated.
Having this at the back of my mind, I try as much as possible to be kind and generous towards people, especially those in desperate need of it, this attitude of mine started manifesting naturally thanks to my religious background, it made me feel good about my self and my surroundings but based on my experience so far, I can boldly say it is not a rosy path. When I cross path with individuals with different perspective about the act of kindness, their reasons for not being kind seems justifiable.
It is not as if my parents were wrong about being kind to others as it is the right thing to do but I believe to an extent my parents should have elaborated more on the fact that I could be in danger and victimised for being kind to others, though I have came across some verses in the Bible about this but it would have meant a lot if my parents made more emphasis on it because I can't begin to count how many times I have gotten into serious trouble just because I tried to be my brotherskeeper.
Sometimes I wonder why such information was excluded probably because they knew that if they informed me when I was young about how cruel humans could be I might not be willing to help others. So instead of saying they were wrong, it is more like a partial truth which led to me learning about it the hard way.
This write-up was inspired by weekly featured content titled "Always right" in hive learners community.
